Twenty and out to pasture

As a 19-year old, I am worried. Why? Because I think I’m too old to accomplish some of my life goals and dreams.

We are surrounded by a limitlessly talented super race of tweens and teens who are breaking records, selling albums, making movies, winning medals and raking in the cash while they’re at it. From Miley Cyrus to Saoirse Ronan, Taylor Swift to Theo Walcott, these young people have accomplished more in their 20 years (or less in some cases) than I will by the time I reach 20, and more than most people have in 30 years on our dear planet. They have not only entertained millions and earned even more, but have the capacity to make people happy and do worldwide good if they exercise their influence correctly.

These people, who I would regard as kids, are doing what we all want to do - to be heard and make a difference - basically live the dream. You may not agree with how they go about their goals, or you may dislike the person themselves but you cannot disagree in saying that you will probably never have their level of power and influence in order to do good in the world.

It is quite depressing to think that at the young age of 20 you can be past your prime in some aspects of your life. It is an absurd thought, but a true one. We are fresh out of our teens, only recently out of our family homes and secondary school. We have only just been given the freedom to drive, vote, and drink. At 20 you are still young enough to be given out to by your parents for driving too fast or making a mess at home. How come we are too old to ever play football for a premiership club or even do something as simple as learn a musical instrument?

There is a certain paranoia attached to being 20. I wouldn’t know being but a teen myself, but when December rolls around, I will not be happy to lose the ‘teen’ on the end of my age. With age comes responsibility, and to me 20 means I have to grow up. It is sad to think that some things you would have loved to accomplish in your life that you put on the long finger, will never be achieved. I would love to learn how to Irish dance, but am too embarrassed to start, even though I am still young. It is scary to be able to use the phrase “I’m too old” when you are still in the first throes of youth. Too old at 20? It seems an impossible idea but it is truly astonishing when you think about it.

Most people at 20 are confident in learning a new academic skill or learning a language. That is no problem at all. But when it comes to picking up a new hobby; learn how to golf, play tennis, dance or play guitar, 20 is too old. I applaud those who have the confidence to go out and learn new hobbies and sports as they get older, but I think most of us will retain the ones we’ve learned in the first two decades of our lives, maybe improving a little on the way, but never quite achieving the stardom our young minds assumed we would. Depressing, isn’t it?